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All That Glitters

I love those great moments, when you just go to bed smiling because of the peace and joy from God. And from all the good stuff being showered your way. Yes, it cancels out the bad! It cancels out the lies. It cancels out all the past sleepless nights. It cancels out the whispers of the enemy because My God is roaring out His truth in every way. For this enemy of mine–oh so many times has TRIED to destroy my family. Has TRIED to destroy my church. Has TRIED to destroy my peace–my mind–my soul– and my whole relationship with God!

But that “trying” has never been able to prevail because God is always stretching forth His hand in our direction. His saving strength is so immense. I am so thankful and yes appreciative. I am grateful to be in this place. I needed this. For so I have learned that concept in such depth this year of “All that glitters isn’t gold!” It really isn’t. Because when you have come in contact with PURE GOLD–everything else can shine and glitter but the real GOLD has weight and value indeed! All that other stuff is just hallow.

But He knows the way that I take;
When He has tested me,
I will come forth as gold.
Job 23:10

I can honestly say that over the course of several months time, I have seen such a tremendous growth in our church. Not only in myself individually, but in the lives of all the people that we are congregating with and building up.

There has been such a shaking in the lives of us all. In every place I would say. But what happens when things shake is that we are immediately put to the test. I have seen in my day such elaborate things, eloquent speech and the grandest creativity in people that would leave you floored! But when it came to the TEST…..

All that glitters, uh yea! IT IS NOT GOLD!

A test is themeansbywhichthepresence,quality,orgenuinenessofanything isdetermined;ameansoftrial. The TEST brings results in any way you want to look at it. The test would lead to positive results, negative results, great results, not so great results, barely passing or above and beyond. When people are put to the test with basic things, they pass with flying colors! PERFECT! What a servant! But when you are put to the hardest test– such as, a test of character, trust, fruit, faithfulness, leadership, support or the like–then that is substantial. You will then really see who is on your side. That real test brings presence–quality–and true genuineness. We see it!

Many come…and many will go. That is what the test does. We went through MAJOR TESTING, SHAKING, RENOVATING, AND RENEWING… so that God truly put all things in place this year. He is still shifting us and we are all saying, “YES! Let’s do this God, we are all ready for it and not only that but we are going to do this together!” WOW! If the book of Acts was not evidence enough, I am seeing the bud come through right in front of my eyes.

I am thankful. Appreciative. Grateful. I am just in awe at what God is doing. How much we have all endured–as an individual–as a family–as a church!!! We are here today, just celebrating in our time with the Lord. This is a God-thing now, and it is such a good thing happening. Church is growing. Relationships are being restored. People are experiencing breakthroughs. I am seeing people cry their souls out–and then laugh again. They are believing again. They are strengthening themselves in God and fighting through it all. Glory to God. HE is answering the prayers of His people.

God moves, God shifts, God brings us to it and through it.

“A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough.”
Galatians 5:9

He doesn’t want the whole batch affected so He moves, He shifts, He brings us to it and through…. What remains is usually a stronger remnant that will grow to reign for God’s kingdom. Just as the apostles did, so shall we. Now that we have passed through the shaking stronger than ever, we are ready to SHAKE the nations just as they did in the book of Acts.

“These who have turned the world upside down have come here too!”
Acts 17:6

For it is not the glitter that will move the world, it is the gold that does. Glitter fades…Gold remains. Glitter goes…Gold survives! We have done more than survive now, we are thriving. Glory to God for this triumphant season we are dancing in.

The servant declared… I will come forth as gold.

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Christina Blessings to all that are viewing this. My name is Christina Cruz-Mendez. I am a Pastor at Mission United International Church in Yonkers, NY working along side my husband Juan A. Mendez Jr. Senior Pastor. We have been together for 25 years with 2 children that God has blessed us with. Makes us the family of four - "JusChrist4". I have been a Christian and active in ministry for about 17 years now. Through all the rocky and smooth roads in life I am eternally grateful that God has brought me this far in life to share with the world what He is doing in me, through me and for me.